Stanley B. Burns
author
Dr. Stanley B. Burns is a New York City-based ophthalmologist and a prominent figure in the field of medical history and photography. He founded the Burns Archive in 1977, which has grown into one of the world's largest private collections of early medical photography, housing over one million images. Dr. Burns serves as a Research Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry and is a Professor of Medical Humanities at New York University. His work focuses on documenting 'the darker side of life,' including post-mortem photography, crime scenes, and historical medical practices. He has authored over 40 books and published numerous articles in medical journals, often providing expert consultation for film and television productions to ensure historical accuracy.[1,2,3]
- Medical Photography
- Post-Mortem Photography
- History of Medicine
- Ophthalmology
Books
Works by Stanley B. Burns
- 1990 Sleeping Beauty: Memorial Photography in America Landmark publication on post-mortem photography.
- 2002 Sleeping Beauty II: Grief, Bereavement and the Family in Memorial Photography. American & European Traditions Co-authored with Elizabeth A. Burns.
- 1995 Forgotten Marriage: The Painted Tintype & The Decorative Frame, 1860–1910, A Lost Chapter in American Portraiture Publication on early portraiture.
- 2014 Stiffs, Skulls, & Skeletons: Medical Photography and Symbolism Co-authored with Elizabeth A. Burns.
Awards
- American Photographic Historical Society's award for the best publication of their kind